Word for something that's always reliable, but never the best?












1















What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?



Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.






word-request







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  • It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.

    – CJ Dennis
    1 hour ago
















1















What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?



Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.






word-request







share|improve this question

























  • It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.

    – CJ Dennis
    1 hour ago














1












1








1








What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?



Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.






word-request







share|improve this question
















What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?



Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.






word-request




word-request






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago









J.R.♦

98.8k8127244




98.8k8127244










asked 2 hours ago









repomonsterrepomonster

62912




62912













  • It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.

    – CJ Dennis
    1 hour ago



















  • It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.

    – CJ Dennis
    1 hour ago

















It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.

– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago





It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.

– CJ Dennis
1 hour ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















2














Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.



The Oxford Dictionary has




1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.




with examples




The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.



Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.




The Cambridge Dictionary has




standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
regular one fails.




with examples




Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.



There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.







share|improve this answer































    1














    A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.



    In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".



    "Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.






    share|improve this answer


























    • However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

      – repomonster
      2 hours ago











    • @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

      – J.R.♦
      1 hour ago



















    1














    There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.



    "Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.



    English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".



    In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.



    As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.






    share|improve this answer































      -1














      I think the word could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.






      share|improve this answer










      New contributor




      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















      • I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

        – J.R.♦
        39 mins ago











      Your Answer








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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes








      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      2














      Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.



      The Oxford Dictionary has




      1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.




      with examples




      The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.



      Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.




      The Cambridge Dictionary has




      standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
      regular one fails.




      with examples




      Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.



      There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.







      share|improve this answer




























        2














        Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.



        The Oxford Dictionary has




        1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.




        with examples




        The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.



        Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.




        The Cambridge Dictionary has




        standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
        regular one fails.




        with examples




        Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.



        There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.







        share|improve this answer


























          2












          2








          2







          Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.



          The Oxford Dictionary has




          1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.




          with examples




          The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.



          Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.




          The Cambridge Dictionary has




          standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
          regular one fails.




          with examples




          Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.



          There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.







          share|improve this answer













          Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.



          The Oxford Dictionary has




          1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.




          with examples




          The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.



          Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.




          The Cambridge Dictionary has




          standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
          regular one fails.




          with examples




          Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.



          There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.








          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 1 hour ago









          Weather VaneWeather Vane

          4,0041417




          4,0041417

























              1














              A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.



              In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".



              "Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.






              share|improve this answer


























              • However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

                – repomonster
                2 hours ago











              • @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

                – J.R.♦
                1 hour ago
















              1














              A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.



              In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".



              "Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.






              share|improve this answer


























              • However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

                – repomonster
                2 hours ago











              • @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

                – J.R.♦
                1 hour ago














              1












              1








              1







              A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.



              In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".



              "Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.






              share|improve this answer















              A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.



              In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".



              "Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 2 hours ago

























              answered 2 hours ago









              JasperJasper

              17.9k43568




              17.9k43568













              • However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

                – repomonster
                2 hours ago











              • @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

                – J.R.♦
                1 hour ago



















              • However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

                – repomonster
                2 hours ago











              • @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

                – J.R.♦
                1 hour ago

















              However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

              – repomonster
              2 hours ago





              However, that only works if you are referring to a person.

              – repomonster
              2 hours ago













              @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

              – J.R.♦
              1 hour ago





              @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

              – J.R.♦
              1 hour ago











              1














              There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.



              "Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.



              English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".



              In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.



              As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.






              share|improve this answer




























                1














                There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.



                "Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.



                English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".



                In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.



                As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.






                share|improve this answer


























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.



                  "Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.



                  English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".



                  In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.



                  As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.






                  share|improve this answer













                  There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.



                  "Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.



                  English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".



                  In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.



                  As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 2 hours ago









                  Snowy OzSnowy Oz

                  1012




                  1012























                      -1














                      I think the word could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                      • I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

                        – J.R.♦
                        39 mins ago
















                      -1














                      I think the word could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                      • I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

                        – J.R.♦
                        39 mins ago














                      -1












                      -1








                      -1







                      I think the word could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.










                      I think the word could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.







                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited 40 mins ago









                      Maryam

                      1,45121836




                      1,45121836






                      New contributor




                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      answered 1 hour ago









                      Marco GarciaMarco Garcia

                      11




                      11




                      New contributor




                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      New contributor





                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.













                      • I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

                        – J.R.♦
                        39 mins ago



















                      • I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

                        – J.R.♦
                        39 mins ago

















                      I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

                      – J.R.♦
                      39 mins ago





                      I think trusty might be a better suggestion than trustworthy.

                      – J.R.♦
                      39 mins ago


















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